Factors Associated with Dengue Preventive Attitudes and Practices: A Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Peru

Objective: To analyze whether there is an association among biological, social and cultural factors with prevention attitudes and practices in northern Peru. Methods: Quantitative approach, non-experimental, cross-sectional descriptive correlational design. A total of 295 citizens of northern Peru, over 18 years of age, selected by non-probabilistic sampling, were surveyed. The instrument was a 67-item questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques such as Cramer's V and Kendall's Tau-b at 95% reliability were applied. Results: 49.5% showed indifferent attitudes towards the prevention of dengue. A total of 93.6% of the respondents presented adequate preventive practices and 54.6% had a high level of general knowledge about dengue prevention. The most important attitude was the fear that a member of the family might contract the disease and the predominant preventive practices were the avoidance of breeding sites by changing the water in dish racks and, for the most part, the use of commercial repellents. Conclusions: Biological and social factors, housing characteristics, and level of knowledge about the forms of contagion were not statistically associated with prevention attitudes toward dengue; whereas almost all dimensions of cultural factors were. Received: 2 August 2024 / Accepted: 28 February 2025 / Published: 02 March 2025